DHAKA: The High Court on Tuesday (July 23) gave two months time for renewal of fitness certificate of registered but unfit 479,320 vehicles across the country, including Dhaka. 

They have to renew their fitness licenses between August 1 and September 30.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice K. M. Hafizul Alam passed the order after Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) placed its report about registered but unfit vehicles before it. 

The court also set October 15 for delivering next order regarding the matter.

State lawyer AKM Aminuddin said the court will give necessary orders to stop running of unfit vehicles if the fitness certificate is not renewed within this time.

Earlier in the morning, report of vehicles that were not renewed with a license had been submitted, said BRTA lawyer Rafiul Islam.

The number of vehicles that have not renewed licenses across the country, including Dhaka, is 1 lakh 5 thousand 520. Of those, 261,113 in Dhaka division, 119,588 in Chittagong division, 26,240 in Rajshahi division, 6,568 in Rangpur division, 15,668 in Khulna division, 44,805 in Sylhet division and 5,338 in the Barisal division, he added. 

Earlier on June 24, the High court has sought detail information of registered but unfit vehicles and drivers who did not renew their license, across the country, including Dhaka city.

The court also asked BRTA to submit report within one month about its action taken against 458,369 registered but unfit vehicles and the drivers who did not renew their license across the country.

Earlier on March 27, the HC asked a director of BRTA to appear before it on April 30 and explain the reasons behind letting 70 thousand unfit vehicles to ply the roads in Dhaka city.

Earlier on March 27, the HC, in a suo moto order, asked a director of BRTA to appear before it on April 30 and explain the reasons behind letting 70 thousand unfit vehicles to ply the roads in Dhaka city.

The court came up with the order as Barrister Mamun Mahbub drew its attention to a report of an English daily on the unfit vehicles.

The court also issued a rule in this regard.

It issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why their inaction to stop running of unfit vehicles and unlicensed drivers should not be declared illegal.

The HC also asked why directives should be given to implement the relevant laws, including the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1983.

BDST: 1503 HRS, JULY 23, 2019
RS/SMS